FAMILIES blighted by huge lorries thundering through their village have suffered a major blow after police chiefs dismissed calls for a crackdown as a "waste of time and resources".

FAMILIES blighted by huge lorries thundering through their village have suffered a major blow after police chiefs dismissed calls for a crackdown as a "waste of time and resources".

Worcestershire County Council has called on the West Mercia police force to step up the number of police cars patrolling the B4101 through Beoley, near Redditch, in a bid to enforce weight restriction laws which are being ignored by heavy goods vehicles.

The seven-and-a-half tonne weight limit was introduced on the narrow rural road by the council after scores of villagers said loud lorries were using the road as a cutthrough. But council chiefs admit the weight restriction has failed to have the desired effect.

Highways chiefs are now set to improve the signs, but council leader Dr George Lord has claimed only a greater police presence will stop lorries ignoring the limit.

The council has now written to West Mercia Police, calling for a greater officer presence in Beoley.

But PC Julian Turner, of north Worcestershire's traffic management team, said the force has a policy opposing weight restrictions.

"All weight limits carry 'except for access' clauses and it is very difficult to enforce weight restrictions."